Cooking implement for portable gas ranges

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a cooking implement for portable gas ranges. The cooking implement includes a main body and a heat shield plate provided below the main body. A plurality of insertion slots is formed in the heat shield plate so that supports of the gas range are inserted into the respective insertion slots. A plurality of heat dissipation holes is formed in the heat shield plate. A contact plate is provided below the heat shield to prevent thermal conduction. Therefore, while cooking food, the heat shield plate intercepts both the flames generated from a portable gas range and radiant heat of the heated cooking implement main body, thus preventing safety hazards, such as explosion of the gas container due to overheating. Furthermore, because the heat shield plates are stably coupled to supports of the portable gas range, the cooking implement can maintain a stable position thereof while cooking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to cooking implements for portable gas ranges. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cooking implement for portable gas ranges, which has a structure such that the cooking implement has a more stable and safe engagement with the portable gas range.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, portable gas ranges are used to cook food during a trip or used to cook food outdoors, that is, in a place having no kitchen. As shown in FIG. 1, such a portable gas range includes a gas range case 10, and a burner 11 which is provided at a predetermined position in the gas range case 10 to generate flames after being ignited. A liquid-overflow-receiving plate 13, which has thereon a plurality of supports 12 that supports a lower surface of a cooking implement, is provided around the burner 11. A regulator 14, which has a valve that selectively supplies gas, is provided at a predetermined position in the gas range case 10 to ignite the burner 11. A gas container 15, which stores gas therein, is removably coupled to the regulator 14. The gas container 15 is covered with a cover 16 which is coupled to the gas range case 10 by a hinge.

Furthermore, a latch lever 17, which couples or removes the gas container 15 to or from the regulator 14, is provided in a front surface of the gas range case 10. In addition, a control knob 18, which supplies gas from the gas container 15 to the burner 11, ignites the burner 11, and controls flame level, is provided on the front surface of the gas range case 10.

To use the gas range having the above-mentioned construction, the cover 16 is opened. Thereafter, the gas container 15, storing gas therein, is placed at the desired position, and the cover 16 is closed. As shown in FIG. 2, a conventional cooking implement 20 of the prior art is placed onto the supports 12. Subsequently, the latch lever 17 is pushed downwards. Then, the gas container 15 is coupled to the regulator 14.

Thereafter, when the control knob 18 is rotated, gas is supplied to the burner 11 and, simultaneously, ignition is conducted, so that flames are generated. The cooking is executed by the flames.

However, when cooking is executed using the conventional cooking implement placed on the portable gas range, flames generated by the burner and radiant heat generated by the cooking implement are transferred to the gas container. Therefore, if the cooking is executed for a long time, there is a potential danger for the gas container to become overheated and possibly explode. In particular, in the summer, due to the radiant heat combined with solar heat, there is a greater possibility of explosion of the gas container.

Furthermore, because the cooking implement of the prior art, which is placed on the supports of the gas range, has a planar lower surface, if a user undesirably touches the cooking implement while cooking food, the heated cooking implement may become removed from the gas range by being displaced from the supports. Then, the user may be burned by the cooking implement or the food being cooked thereon.

Also, in the case that meat is cooked, there is a problem in that oil flowing out from the meat is not smoothly discharged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an improved cooking implement for portable gas ranges which has a structure such that flames of a gas range and radiant heat of the cooking implement are prevented from being transferred to a gas container, thus preventing possible explosion of the gas container, thereby increasing the safety thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved cooking implement for portable gas ranges which is stably coupled to supports of the gas range while being placed on the gas range, so that the cooking implement can maintain a stable position thereof while cooking food, thus preventing a burn from occurring due to the heated food or the cooking implement being displaced from the supports.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cooking implement for portable gas ranges in which, when meat is cooked, oil flowing out from the meat is easily discharged, and which is very convenient for use.

In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a cooking implement to be placed on supports of a portable gas range to cook food. The cooking implement includes a main body and a heat shield plate provided at a predetermined position under a lower surface of the main body. A plurality of insertion slots is formed in the heat shield plate so that the supports of the gas range are inserted into the respective insertion slots, and a plurality of heat dissipation holes is formed in the heat shield plate. A contact plate is provided under a lower edge of the heat shield to prevent thermal conduction.

Therefore, in the present invention, while cooking food, heat shield plates, which are provided under the lower surface of a main body of the cooking implement, intercept both flames generated from a portable gas range and radiant heat of the heated cooking implement main body, thus preventing safety hazards such as explosion of a gas container due to overheating. Furthermore, because the heat shield plates are stably coupled to supports of the portable gas range, the cooking implement can maintain a stable position thereof while cooking, thus preventing safety hazards, such as bums due to carelessness.

Additionally, the cooking implement of the present invention may have a structure such that the heat shield plates are folded under the cooking implement main body, thus being convenient for a user in storing and carying it In addition, when cooking meat, oil flowing out from the meat is easily discharged through an oil discharge passage tube. Furthermore, a heating part can be placed below the main body to receive direct contact with flames discharged from the burner of the portable gas range. The heating part is made of material different from the material of the cooking implement main body so that the time required to cook is reduced and gas consumption is reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a portable gas range;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a conventional cooking implement of the prior art placed on the portable gas range;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a cooking implement for portable gas ranges, according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing usage of the cooking implement of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a cooking implement for portable gas ranges, according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cooking implement for portable gas ranges, according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components.

The present invention is an improved cooking implement for use with portable gas ranges such as the portable gas range shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, a portable gas range includes a gas range case 10, a burner 11 that generates flames after being ignited, a liquid-overflow-receiving plate 13, a plurality of supports 12 surrounding the burner 11, a regulator 14 connecting to a gas container 15 which stores therein and provides gas therefrom, and a cover 16 hingeably coupled to the gas range case 10 to cover the gas container 15. Furthermore, a latch lever 17, which couples or removes the gas container 15 to or from the regulator 14, is provided in a front surface of the gas range case 10. In addition, a control knob 18, which supplies gas from the gas container 15 to the burner 11, ignites the burner 11, and controls flame level, is provided on the front surface of the gas range case 10.

The present invention is also geared to a portable gas range, such as the portable gas range of FIG. 1, having an improved cooking implement of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a cooking implement for portable gas ranges, according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view showing usage of the cooking implement of FIG. 3 with the portable gas range.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in a cooking implement according to the present invention, grips 31 are provided at upper positions on opposite ends of a main body 30 of the cooking implement. The main body 30 is made of a first predetermined heat conducting material so that food can be cooked on the upper surface of the main body 30. A heating part 32, which is made of a second predetermined heat conducting material different from the material of the main body 30, is formed under a lower surface of the main body 30. The main body 30 can be made of aluminum and the heating part 32 be made of iron.

For improved cooking performance, an upper surface of the main body 30 can be inclined downwards from the outer edge to the center thereof.

An oil discharge passage tube 33 is provided under the lower surface of the main body 30 to discharge oil generated when meat or the like is cooked. A stopper 34 is removably inserted into an outlet of the oil discharge passage tube 33.

The external thread can be formed on an outer surface of the stopper 34 and an internal thread be formed on an inner surface of the oil discharge passage tube 33, so that the stopper 34 is removably coupled to the oil discharge passage tube 33 by thread engagement. Furthermore, the stopper 34 may be removably fitted into the oil discharge passage tube 33 using friction between them, without having threads.

Meanwhile, heat shield plates 40 are provided under the lower surface of the main body 30 at opposite sides of the heating part 32. The heat shield plates 40 serve to prevent both a flame generated by the portable gas range (E) and radiant heat generated from the main body 30 from being transferred to a gas container 15 (see, FIG. 1) placed in the portable gas range (R).

The illustrations show a pair of opposed heat shield plates 40 extending from below the main body 30. Each heat shield plate 40 extends downwards from the lower surface of the main body 30 in a direction perpendicular to the main body 30. The heat shield plate 40, when placed in engagement with the supports 12, extends generally parallel with the gas container 15 provided in the gas range case 10.

Furthermore, a plurality of heat dissipation holes 41 is formed in each heat shield plate 40. Insertion slots 42 are formed in respective opposite ends of each heat shield plate 40, so that supports 12 of the portable gas range (R) are inserted into the respective insertion slots 42. Contact pieces 43 are provided under a lower edge of each heat shield plate 40 to prevent heat from being transferred to an upper surface of the portable gas range (R).

Each heat shield plate 40 is made of a thermal insulating material. For example, the heat shield plate 40 may be made of insulating material, such as metal coated with a fiber, a metal alloy containing aluminum having thermal insulation ability, or synthetic resin or ceramic having superior fire resistance.

Furthermore, each contact piece 43 is made of a non heat-conducting material so that, when the main body 30 is placed on a table or a room floor after cooking has been completed, the contact pieces 43 prevent the table or the room floor from being burned or scorched by heat transferred from the main body 30 of the cooking implement.

As well, the contact pieces 43 may be bonded to the lower edge of each heat shield plate 40. Alternatively, the contact pieces 43 may be coupled to the heat shield plate 40 by a coupling means such as a screw. In addition, one contact piece 43 may be provided through the entire is length under the lower edge of each heat shield plate 40. Alternatively, a plurality of contact pieces 43 may be partially provided under the lower edge of each heat shield plate 40.

As shown in FIG. 4, seating grooves 10 a may be formed in the upper surface of the gas range (R), such that the contact pieces 43 of the heat shield plates 40 are seated into the seating grooves 10 a. Then, while cooking food, the cooking implement can maintain the position thereof more stably.

In the cooking implement having the above-mentioned structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the main body 30 of the cooking implement is placed on the supports 12 of the portable gas range (R) and, thereafter, the portable gas range (R) is ignited in order to cook food.

At this time, the supports 12 of the portable gas range (R) are inserted into the respective insertion slots 42 which are formed in the opposite ends of the heat shield plates 40. Then, the cooking implement can maintain the very stable position thereof Therefore, even if a user undesirably touches the cooking implement while cooking food, the cooking implement is prevented from being removed from the portable gas range (R), thus preventing safety hazards, such as bums from occurring.

Furthermore, in the case that the seating grooves 10 a are formed in the upper surface of the case 10 of the portable gas range (R), because the lower edges of the heat shield plates 40, that is, the contact pieces 43, are inserted into the seating grooves 10 a, the cooking implement main body 30, the heat shield plates 40 of which are fitted over the supports 12 of the portable gas range (R) through the insertion slots 42, can maintain the position thereof more stably while cooking food.

In this state, both the flames generated by the burner 11 of the portable gas range (R) and radiant heat from the heated cooking implement main body 30 are intercepted by the heat shield plates 40. Therefore, safety hazards, such as explosion of the gas container 15 provided in the case 10, due to overheating, are prevented from occurring.

Furthermore, while cooking food, because flames generated by the burner 11 are concentrated on the heating part 32 made of a material different from the material of the cooking implement main body 30, heat transfer efficiency is increased. Thereby the time required to cook food is reduced. As a result, there is an advantage of saving gas.

After the cooking has been completed, the cooking implement main body 30 may be placed onto a table or a room floor. At this time, the contact pieces 43, which are provided under the lower edges of the heat shield plates 40, intercept heat being transferred from the heat shield plates 40 to the table or the room floor, thus preventing the table or the room floor from being burned or scorched.

As well, because the heat dissipation holes 41 are formed in each heat shield plate 40, heat can be easily dissipated from the heated heat shield plates 40.

In the present invention, the oil discharge passage tube 33 is provided under the lower surface of the cooking implement main body 30, and the stopper 34 is removably coupled to the oil discharge passage tube 33. Therefore, when frying meat, oil flowing out from the meat can be easily discharged outside of the cooking implement main body 30. In addition, with the stopper 34 coupled to the oil discharge passage tube 33, after the cooking has been completed, residual oil is prevented from undesirably flowing out.

Moreover, even if an oil receiving bowl, which receives oil generated from meat, is not prepared before cooking the meat, cooking can be executed while the stopper 34 is coupled to the oil discharge passage tube 33. Therefore, the present invention makes it possible for the user to cook even before preparing an oil receiving bowl.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a cooking implement for portable gas ranges, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment has a structure such that heat shield plates 40 are removably coupled to a cooking implement main body 30 having the same general construction as that of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, a plurality of fastening brackets 50 is provided under a lower surface of the cooking implement main body 30. The heat shield plates 40 are removably fastened to the fastening brackets 50 using screws 51.

As such, the second embodiment has the structure in which the heat shield plates 40 are removably coupled to the cooking implement main body 30. Therefore, when it is desired to cook food using the cooking implement, the heat shield plates 40 are fastened to the fastening brackets 50 of the cooking implement main body 30 using the screws 51. Thereafter, the cooking implement main body 30 is placed on the supports 12 of the portable gas range (R) such that the heat shield plates 40 are coupled to the supports 12 in the same manner as that of the fast embodiment. After cooking has been completed, the user sufficiently cools the cooking implement main body 30. Thereafter, the heat shield plates 40 are removed from the cooking implement main body 30 by loosening the screws 51. Then, storage and carrying of the cooking implement become simple and easy.

In this embodiment, the heat shield plates 40 are removably fastened to the fastening brackets 50 of the cooking implement main body 30. The present invention is not limited to this. That is, the present invention may have a structure such that the fastening brackets 50 are foldable at 90°. Then, while cooking food, the heat shield plates 40 are unfolded from the cooking implement main body 30. After the cooking has been completed, the heat shield plates 40 are folded under the cooking implement main body 30 without being removed, thus being more convenient for the user in storing or carrying it.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a cooking implement for portable gas ranges, according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The cooking implement according to the third embodiment has a structure in which heat shield plates 40 are removably coupled to a lower surface of a circular cooking implement main body 30. FIG. 6 shows the top surface of the main body 30. The third embodiment shows a hole 99 formed through the top surface, which leads to said oil discharge passage tube 33. As such, oil and liquids can travel down the top surface of the main body 30 and into the oil discharge passage tube 33 via the hole 99. This hole 99 leading in the oil discharge passage tube 33 is also an identical feature of the other embodiments of the present invention.

In this embodiment, fastening brackets 60 are provided on an upper edge of each heat shield plate 40, so that the heat shield plates 40 are coupled to the lower surface of the circular cooking implement main body 30 using screws 61.

In this case, removal or coupling of the heat shield plates 40 is also easy, thus being convenient for the user. Furthermore, after the heat shield plates 40 are separated from the cooking implement main body 30, the cooking implement becomes convenient to store or carry.

As described above, in the present invention, while cooking food, heat shield plates, which are provided under a lower surface of a main body of a cooking implement, intercept both flames generated from a portable gas range and radiant heat of the heated cooking implement main body, thus preventing safety hazards such as explosion of a gas container due to overheating. Furthermore, because the heat shield plates are stably coupled to supports of the portable gas range, the cooking implement can maintain a stable position thereof while cooking, thus preventing safety hazards, such as burns due to carelessness.

As well, the cooking implement of the present invention may have a structure such that the heat shield plates are folded under the cooking implement main body, thus being convenient for a user in storing and carrying it. In addition, when cooking meat, oil flowing out from the meat is easily discharged through an oil discharge passage tube. Furthermore, because a heating part, which directly contacts flames, is made of material different from the material of the cooking implement main body, there are advantages in that the time required to cook is reduced and gas consumption is reduced.

The cooking implement of the present invention is not limited to the shape and structure shown in the illustrations. The cooking implement of the present invention can be in the shape and structure other known cooking implements, such as a pot, a cauldron or a flying pan having all of the improved novel features described herein.

The cooking implement of the present invention can be in the shape and structure other known cooking implements, such as a pot, a cauldron or a flying pan.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 

1. A cooking implement for use with a portable gas range, said gas range having supports for supporting said cooking implement thereon, said cooking implement comprising: a main body; a heat shield plate disposed at a predetermined position extending downward from below the main body; and, a plurality of insertion slots formed on the heat shield plate, said slots being formed and sized so that said supports of the gas range can be inserted into the respective insertion slots.
 2. The cooking implement as described in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of heat dissipation holes formed in the heat shield plate.
 3. The cooking implement as described in claim 1 further comprising a contact plate provided below the heat shield plate, said contact plate is made of a predetermined non-heat conducting material.
 4. The cooking implement as described in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of fastening brackets provided under the main body; and wherein the heat shield plate is removably coupled to the plurality of fastening brackets.
 5. The cooking implement as set forth in claim 1 wherein the heat shield plate is foldable under the main body.
 6. The cooking implement as set forth in claim 1 further comprising fastening brackets formed on the heat shield plate, said heat shield plates are removably joined to the main body at said fastening brackets.
 7. The cooking implement as described in claim 1 further comprising an oil discharge passage tube provided under the main body; and a stopper removably coupled to the oil discharge passage tube.
 8. A cooking implement for use with a portable gas range, said gas range having supports for supporting said cooking implement thereon, said cooking implement comprising: a main body made of a first predetermined heat conducting material; a pair of opposed heat shield plates extending downward from below the main body; and, one or more insertion slots formed on each heat shield plate, each slot being formed and sized so that said supports of the gas range can be inserted into the respective insertion slot.
 9. The cooking implement as described in claim 8 further comprising a plurality of heat dissipation holes formed in each heat shield plate.
 10. The cooking implement as described in claim 8 further comprising a contact plate provided below each heat shield plate, said contact plate is made of a predetermined non-heat conducting material.
 11. The cooking implement as described in claim 8 wherein each heat shield plate is removeably attached below the main body.
 12. The cooking implement as set forth in claim 8 wherein the heat shield plate is foldable under the main body.
 13. The cooking implement as described in claim 8 further comprising an oil discharge passage tube provided under the main body; and a stopper removably coupled to the oil discharge passage tube.
 14. The cooking implement as described in claim 8 further comprising a heating part disposed below the main body between the pair of heat shield plates, said heating part is made of a second predetermined heat conducting material different from the first heat conducting material.
 15. In a portable gas range having a burner for discharging flames therethrough, a regulator which has a valve for selectively supplying gas, a gas container removably coupled to the regulator, supports positioned around the burner for supporting cooking implements thereon, with the improvement comprising: a cooking implement formed for engagement with said supports, said cooking implement further comprising: a main body made of a first predetermined heat conducting material; a pair of opposed heat shield plates extending downward from below the main body; one or more insertion slots formed on each heat shield plate, each slot being formed and sized so that said supports of the gas range can be inserted into the respective insertion slot; a plurality of heat dissipation holes formed in each heat shield plate.
 16. The portable gas range as described in claim 15 further comprising a contact plate provided below each heat shield plate, said contact plate is made of a predetermined non-heat conducting material.
 17. The portable gas range as described in claim 15 wherein each heat shield plate is removeably attached below the main body.
 18. The portable gas range as described in claim 15 wherein the heat shield plate is foldable under the main body.
 19. The portable gas range as described in claim 15 further comprising an oil discharge passage tube provided under the main body; and a stopper removably coupled to the oil discharge passage tube.
 20. The portable gas range as described in claim 15 further comprising a heating part disposed below the main body between the pair of heat shield plates, said heating pant is made of a second predetermined heat conducting material different from the first heat conducting material. 